- NCAA. Steve Sarkisian is not happy: Pushes back against Texas Longhorns money decision
- NCAA. Ryan Day is not backing down: Player controversy has him on the ropes
The long-term future of one of college football's greatest rivalries is at risk. Amid this uncertainty, Notre Dame's head coach, Marcus Freeman, has spoken out about the Notre Dame vs. USC matchup, which now hangs in the balance.
Marcus Freeman's Stance on the Notre Dame-USC Rivalry
The Head Coach is unequivocal, expressing his desire to face the USC Trojans every year, a move that would further fuel the excitement of college football for fans. He shared these thoughts with the media.
"Where I feel about USC is very clear," Freeman commented. "We would love to play 'em every single year. It don't matter when we play 'em. I would love to continue the rivalry as long as I'm the head coach here."
"I think rivalries are great for college football, and I think they're great for sports because that's the one game of year you throw out records, you throw out (everything). And I've been a part of some of the greatest rivalries that there's been."
Marcus Freeman added that this rivalry between Notre Dame and USC, two historic programs that have clashed 95 times since 1924, is "very important" to college football.
The 2025 edition is scheduled for South Bend on October 18, marking the final game under the current contract, though USC has offered a one-year extension to continue the matchup in 2026.
It's no secret that college football is undergoing constant restructuring, and the new College Football Playoff format has prompted USC to approach a long-term contract with Notre Dame more cautiously.
USC's coach, Lincoln Riley, echoed Freeman's sentiments.
"I would love to [continue the series]. I know it means a lot to a lot of people," Riley said, at the time. "The purist in you, no doubt. Now if you get in a position where you got to make a decision on what's best for SC to help us win a national championship vs. keeping that, shoot, then you got to look at it."